Alone Together: Unpacking the Loneliness Epidemic

Anthony Frosh speaks with Professor Michelle Lim for Loneliness Awareness Week, #Momentsmatter.

Some topics include:

·       How loneliness has always afflicted humanity, even in ancient times

·       The epiphany that led Michelle to focus on the loneliness epidemic

·       How researchers define loneliness and understanding the difference between transient and persistent or chronic loneliness.

·       Understanding that loneliness and social isolation aren’t always existing in simple connection.

·       The stigma of loneliness

·       Common misperceptions about loneliness, especially in terms of who is most at risk

·       The scale of the loneliness problem in Australia and in other parts of the world

·       The impact of COVID-19 social distancing and working-from-home etc

·       Health consequences of loneliness

·       Economic consequences

·       How Ending Loneliness Together seeks to tackles the problem

·       Important role of awareness

·       Guide to action to help yourself of someone you know

Tio find out more about the Loneliness Awareness Week, please visit https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/

This episode is edited by Shalini Sen. Marketing is the domain of Sarah Guy.

Dr Michelle Lim is the inaugural Chairperson and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together and CEO of Ending Loneliness Together.  https://endingloneliness.com.au/

Associate Professor Lim is also the Director of the Social Health and Wellbeing Group at the School of Public Health, the University of Sydney.

Associate Professor Lim led the development of the National Strategy for Loneliness and Social Isolation in Australia and have written two government White Papers on this issue. She is also chief investigator of the Australian Loneliness Report (2018) and the Young Australian Loneliness Survey (2019). Her work informs the Australian government, not-for-profit, and corporate sector.  In 2020, Dr Lim also cofounded and was the inaugural co-director of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, an international coalition of organisations across 12 countries committed to ending the pressing global issue of loneliness and social isolation.